EAST BUCKTOWN — Although it owners hoped to open in time for Memorial Day, a new 27,000-square-foot grocer, butcher and cafe that puts local food producers in the spotlight is set to debut on Tuesday, just in time for 4th of July weekend barbecues.
Located in the Bucktown/Elston Corridor just west of the Chicago River and east of Ashland Avenue, the goal behind Local Foods — motto: "know the source" — is to continue refining a distribution pipeline that is already helping local farmers to be more profitable.
Over 200 Chicago area restaurants and grocers already source their foods on a wholesale basis from Local Foods, though now, with the opening of a public market, shoppers can have access to "a full catalog of the best the Midwest has to offer," including grains, eggs, cheeses and pasture-raised meats.
"We are thrilled to offer a store stocked with the same top-notch foods grown by the best farmers and demanded by the best chefs," Local Foods said in a news release.
A 16-seat cafe, Stock, run by chef and farmer Abra Beren, features sandwiches, pastries and soups that can be enjoyed onsite or packed in a bag for to-go lunches. Rob Levitt's Butcher and Larder will occupy close to one-fifth of the building.
Local Foods' grand opening celebration is set for noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. After that, regular hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Tuesday's lunch-time opening party will include complimentary tastings of locally-sourced bites prepared by Chicago chefs Abe Conlon (Fat Rice); John Manion (La Sirena Clandestine); Jason Hammel (Lula Café); Pat Sheerin Trenchermen, and Jared Van Camp (Element Collective), according to the event's Facebook page.
Inside Local Foods. (Local Foods/Facebook)
A quick peek in the window early Monday at Local Foods' shelves showed pasta sauces from River Valley Kitchens; Brussels sprouts from Bushel and Peck's; pickles from Detroit-based McClure's; dried cranberry crisps from Wisconsin-based Potter's Crackers; and bottled water (in aluminum cans) from Green Sheep.
A chalkboard along the entryway to Local Foods promotes local food producers. (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
For the 100-plus farmers that are suppliers to Local Foods, the perks include assistance with delivery. Local Foods will provide trucks to help some of the smaller family farmers transport and deliver product from their farms to Chicago, Local Foods' CFO Ryan Kimura previously said.
The 3,000-square-foot retail market also has an area for classes and demonstrations.
Currently, Local Foods has brought about 40 jobs to the area, Kimura said.
Free street parking, a small back parking lot and a few 30-minute standing zone spots are available for shoppers with cars. Early Monday, a spokeswoman said a bike rack would be installed soon.
Chicago Local Foods. 1427-55 W. Willow St., Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Ph: 312-432-6575, or send an email for more info. Follow Local Foods on Facebook and Twitter, @LocalFoodsChi for updates.
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